WWE's live Summerslam PPV opened with The Miz's music. Miz appeared on-stage dressed in a tuxedo. Miz welcomed everyone to Summerslam before noting he is the host of the show. He hyped tonight's two Main Events - C.M. Punk vs. Brock Lesnar and John Cena vs. Daniel Bryan for the WWE Title with Triple H as special referee.

Miz tried to kick things off, but Fandango's music interrupted. Fandango emerged on-stage to dance with Summer Rae in front of Miz, who sold annoyance with the interruption. "Really?" Miz muttered a few times. "Welcome to Summerslam!" Miz declared. WWE then faded to an old-school WWE graphic.

The standard PPV Intro Video tapped into 1970s & '80s "grainy footage" TV show intros. Included in the hype video on Cena vs. Bryan were old-school D-Bryan clips when Bryan was hairless and beardless. The video also focused on Cena vs. Bryan. It was like Miami Vice, C.H.I.P.S., Charlie's Angels, and wrestling collided in one video.

Live inside Staples Center, full pyro shot off before Michael Cole introduced the show from ringside. Cole said they are sold out at the Staples Center for the fifth straight year. In the ring, Lilian Garcia introduced "Total Diva" Jo Jo to sing the National Anthem. From the stage, Jo Jo provided a strong rendition of the Anthem, drawing applause from the crowd.

Ringside: Cole, JBL, and Lawler were shown ringside. Lawler gave the show two thumbs up, then Cole hyped the Summerslam Party tonight before sending it over to the Spanish Announce Table for a few words to begin the PPV.

In-ring: Justin Roberts introduced the Ring of Fire match to begin the PPV. Out first was Kane, who emerged on-stage before marching down to the ring. Suddenly, the feed cut out to the Wyatts's standard introduction. In the video feed, Bray Wyatt lit his lantern and declared, "We're Here," to a vocal males pop in the arena. Live in the arena, Bray led Erick Rowan and Luke Harper down to ringside in the darkness. The lights came back on and Bray emerged from his rocking chair before slowly entering the ring.

Once the bell sounded, Sin Cara's Mood Lighting descended upon the arena and the flames were lit ringside. Kane opened with right hand strikes to Bray before ramming him into the corner turnbuckle. Suddenly, the flames whipped, pushing Rowan and Harper away from the ringside area. Back in the ring, Bray wanted a suplex, but Kane reversed and delivered a suplex of his own, causing the flames to whip again.

Kane delivered a big boot and the flames whipped again. Bray came back with a big corner splash before shouting out to the crowd. Bray followed with a charging gut-splash, drawing more flames. As Bray slowed down the action, WWE cut to a shot of firefighters positioned ringside surveying the action. Kane then came back with a boot to the face followed by a corner clothesline. And a second.

A sidewalk slam caused the flames to shoot up from ringside again, then Kane tried to wake up a quiet crowd with a Chokeslam tease, but Bray blocked. Suddenly, Luke Harper pulled out a Kendo Stick and tried to light it on-fire like a Torch, but the torched stick was too hot for Harper to handle. Rowan then tried to extinguish the flames, but the flames were resistant.

Back in the ring, Kane delivered a chokeslam, but he wasn't done. Kane delivered a second chokeslam and the flames whipped again. Kane then went old-school with a throast slash gesture. Suddenly, Rowan and Harper covered the flames with a black tarp, then jumped into the ring to attack Kane. Chaos ensued before Harper and Rowan beat down Kane. The crowd chanted for Undertaker as the Wyatts took apart Kane.

Harper and Rowan then scooped up Bray and positioned him to receive Kane, who took the Sister Abigail facebuster finisher. Bray then covered Kane and the ref administered a three count for the win as the crowd groaned.

WINNER: Wyatt at 7:48. Strong visual with the flames whipping, but another outside interference-dominated match taking the crowd out of the action rather than getting heat (excuse the pun) on the heels. (*1/2)

Post-match: Bray Wyatt sat down in his rocking chair ringside as Harper and Rowan dragged Kane onto ring steps in front of Wyatt. Harper and Rowan then grabbed another set of ring steps and dropped the steps onto Kane's head, like a guillotine. Kane sold unconsciousness on the ring steps, then Bray lit his lantern and the lights went out.

Bray wasn't done, as the Wyatts dragged Kane away through the floor area below the stage. Suddenly, the feed cut out, signaling the end of the segment.

Back to the Studio Panel, where Josh Mathews introduced the Texas Trio of Booker T, Shawn Michaels, and Vickie Guerrero. Booker reacted to the Ring of Fire match, calling it disturbing and some kind of ritual. He said the Wyatts have "flipped the script" on what WWE is all about. Michaels said maybe he's getting a little old, but it's a little uncomfortable for him. Vickie said this isn't how she runs her show, but "whatever" to Raw GM Brad Maddox.

Announcers: Cole and Co. reacted to the potential whereabouts of Kane after the Wyatts hauled him away. Cole then fed to a video package on Paul Heyman announcing the No DQ stipulation for C.M. Punk vs. Brock Lesnar during the Summerslam Pre-show.

In-ring: Damien Sandow was introduced for the next match. Sandow spoke on the mic as he walked to the ring about prolific pairings in literary history. Sherlock Holmes & Watson - or Batman & Robin for the dummies in the crowd. The common theme is there is a leader and a diminutive sidekick, but Cody Rhodes did not accept his role. So, tonight, he sends Cody back to his father as Dumb & Dumber.

Cody Rhodes's music played to bring out Rhodes sans mustache. On commentary, Cole said the reason why Rhodes shaved his 'stache will be explained on this week's edition of the "JBL & Cole Show."

2 -- CODY RHODES vs. DAMIEN SANDOW

The grudge match quickly spilled to the outside, where Sandow ran Rhodes back-first into the ring apron. Back in the ring, Sandow continued to focus on Rhodes's lower back as Cole reacted to Sandow's "Dumb & Dumber" reference about Cody and Dusty Rhodes. JBL added in that Dusty was a multi-time NWA World Hvt. champion before Sandow delivered the Elbow of Disdain. Lawler noted that the key tonight could be beards, as evidenced by Bray Wyatt winning the opening match, Sandow dominating now, and Daniel Bryan challenging for the WWE Title later on. JBL quipped that Shawn Michaels also looks like he could be part of the Robertson Clan with his beard. Second Duck Dynasty reference of the night.

Sandow tried to finish Cody in the corner, but Cody blocked and countered with a Musclebuster from the Samoa Joe Playbook. It was good for a two count. Cody then mounted a comeback with signature Rhodes Family Offense before delivering a top-rope missile dropkick. Rhodes tried the Disaster Kick, but Sandow avoided. Sandow tried to follow with a sunset flip, but Rhodes hooked Sandow's legs for a two count. Rhodes followed right up with the Disaster Kick, but Sandow kicked out.

At 6:00, Rhodes missed a corner attack before Sandow rolled up Rhodes for a two count. Rhodes immediately responded with a Cross Rhodes grip and he connected center-ring. Rhodes covered for the win, ending Lawler's theory about beards guaranteeing victory tonight. Also on commentary, JBL wondered where this leaves Rhodes if he just beat the possessor of the World Title MITB contract.

WINNER: Rhodes at 6:40. Clean shave, clean victory over Sandow, and a spot opening up with Sheamus on the shelf - is Rhodes suddenly in the World Title picture? Interesting development. (**1/2)

After a reset, the announcers fed to a video package on the World Title match up next, focusing on Christian as the challenger to Alberto Del Rio.

In-ring: Christian was introduced first as the challenger. Christian played to the crowd as the announcers wondered if this is Christian's last chance to get his hands on the World Title. As Christian completed his ring intro, Cole mentioned Batista as one of JBL's former Summerslam opponents to set up thoughts from JBL.

World champion Alberto Del Rio was introduced next to defend the title. As Del Rio made his entrance, the camera and announcers focused on Del Rio having an injured eye. Also picked up was heavy, heavy make-up on Del Rio's face. On commentary, Cole presented a storyline that Christian's Killswitch gave Del Rio his black eye. Once everyone was assembled, Lilian Garcia handled formal ring introductions for the World Title match. However, Del Rio cut off Lilian and demanded that he be introduced in Spanish.

Christian quickly knocked Del Rio to the floor, then Del Rio led Christian on a chase back into the ring. In the ring, Del Rio smashed Christian in the corner before knocking him to the floor. On the outside, Del Rio rammed Christian back-first into the guardrail. Back in the ring, Del Rio went to work on Christian's shoulder as Cole hyped Del Rio's MMA and Lucha Libre background.

Christian teased fighting back, but Del Rio came back with a kick to the shoulder before yanking the shoulder into the bottom rope. Del Rio then came off the second rope with a smash to the shoulder. Del Rio tried again moments later, but Christian blocked with knees to the mouth. Christian responded with a second-rope dropkick before corner-mounting Del Rio for Ten Punches.

At 7:00, Del Rio begged off as the camera focused on Del Rio's beat-up face. Christian wanted a second-rope turnaround splash, but Del Rio suddenly caught him with a leaping back-stabber from the second rope for a two count. Del Rio followed with a corner kick to the face, but Christian kicked out. The camera focused on Del Rio's nose bleeding as he tried to catch his breath following the exchange.

At 8:30, Del Rio recovered and climbed to the second rope for a leaping butt-splash, but Christian moved. Christian followed with a flying elbow before starting a slow-clap to get ready for the Killswitch, but Del Rio heard it coming and rammed Christian into the corner. Del Rio couldn't follow up, though, allowing Christian to snap off a top-rope huracanrana. Christian covered, but Del Rio kicked out just in-time, drawing a pained facial reaction from the challenger.

At 10:00, Christian backed into the corner looking for The Spear, but Del Rio intercepted with two feet to the face. Del Rio followed with a standing sidekick to the head, but Christian kicked out again. Del Rio again tried a standing kick, but Del Rio kicked out. Suddenly, Christian nailed the Spear, but he injured his shoulder in the process.

Del Rio capitalized by slapping on the cross arm-breaker center-ring. The crowd popped, trying to help Christian escape. Christian actually had Del Rio's shoulders on the mat during the hold, but the ref didn't apply a count. The camera actually focused on Del Rio's shoulders on the mat. Del Rio then re-positioned Christian center-ring and forced Christian to tap out. After the match, the crowd booed as Cole hyped Christian's strong effort in the challenger role.

WINNER: Del Rio via submission at 12:30. Very good PPV undercard match. Christian and Del Rio delivered great counters, reversals, and safe, stiff-looking action. It was almost as if Del Rio said, "Screw it, my face is a mess, let's not hold back in there." It will be interesting to see if WWE uses the deal where Del Rio's shoulders were on the mat for Christian to get One More Match or if that's ignored. (***1/2)

After a replay of the match highlights, Renee Young entered the ring to ask Del Rio about his successful title defense tonight. Del Rio said he is still the people's champion and the one representing Latinos, which drew a mixed reaction. Del Rio said the Mexican People need someone to look up to; a hero, an idol. Del Rio stood tall to close the segment.

END OF THE FIRST HOUR. SECOND HOUR COVERAGE CONTINUES AT PWTORCH.COM . ...

===== LIVECAST ALERT ======

We're taking your calls after the Summerslam PPV with a post-game show at 11:30 p.m. EST on PWTorchLivecast.com. Join us to break down the PPV!

He hosted the weekly Pro Wrestling Focus radio show on KFAN in the early 1990s and hosted the Ultimate Insiders DVD series distributed in retail stories internationally in the mid-2000s including interviews filmed in Los Angeles with Vince Russo & Ed Ferrara and Matt & Jeff Hardy. He currently hosts the most listened to pro wrestling audio show in the world, (the PWTorch Livecast, top ranked in iTunes)

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